Tech-driven auto insurer using smartphone telematics to offer personalized, usage-based rates for safe drivers.
Young, tech-savvy drivers with clean records seeking maximum savings and willing to use telematics monitoring.
Major insurance subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway offering comprehensive coverage with strong customer support.
Drivers seeking broad coverage options, nationwide availability, fast claims service, and established insurer reliability.
Root is a mobile-first, AI-powered insurance startup targeting tech-savvy drivers with usage-based pricing, while Geico is an established national insurer offering competitive rates through traditional and digital channels. Root typically offers lower premiums for safe drivers, but Geico provides broader coverage options and faster claims processing.
Root excels for young, tech-savvy, safe drivers seeking maximum savings through behavioral monitoring, while Geico remains the better choice for those wanting broad coverage options, nationwide availability, and established customer service. The choice depends on whether you prioritize innovative savings mechanisms (Root) or traditional reliability and bundling flexibility (Geico).
Choose Root if
Young, tech-savvy drivers with clean records seeking maximum savings and willing to use telematics monitoring.
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| Metric | Root | Geico | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Premium (Safe Driver)(USD) | $892 | $1,247 | -28% |
| States Available(count) | 38 states | 51 | -25% |
| Mobile App Rating(Stars) | 4.7 |
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Choose Geico if
Drivers seeking broad coverage options, nationwide availability, fast claims service, and established insurer reliability.
| 4.3/5 |
| +9% |
| Average Claims Processing Time(business days) | 4 days | 1.5 days | +167% |
| Quote Generation Time(minutes) | 2 minutes | 10 minutes | -80% |
| Gender Rate Variance (Widest Gap)(percentage point difference) | Men 13.6% vs Women 10.3% = 3.3 point gap | Men 13.6% vs Women 10.3% = 3.3 point gap | — |
| Coverage Types Available(number of categories) | Auto Insurance Only | Auto Insurance Only | — |
| Mental Market Share (MMS)(percentage) | ~12% | ~12% | — |
| Minimum Coverage Monthly Rate(USD) | $66 | $66 | — |
| Full Coverage Annual Cost(USD) | $2,053 | $2,053 | — |
| Customer Rating(stars) | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | — |
| WalletHub Rating(stars) | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | — |
| Number of Coverage Types(types) | 1 (auto only) | 1 (auto only) | — |
| Market Presence (MMS)(percent) | ~12% | ~12% | — |
| Average Annual Premium (Auto Insurance)(USD) | $950 | $950 | — |
| States Served(count) | 50 states + DC | 50 states + DC | — |
| Coverage Types Offered(count) | Auto, Home, Life, Umbrella, RV, more | Auto, Home, Life, Umbrella, RV, more | — |
| Founded Year(Year) | 1936 | 1936 | — |
| Average Annual Premium(USD) | $1,400 | $1,400 | — |
| Quote Processing Time(minutes) | 7 | 7 | — |
| Policy Approval Time(hours) | 24-48 | 24-48 | — |
| Number of Discounts(count) | 27 | 27 | — |
| Average Auto Insurance Premium (Annual)(USD) | $1,380 | $1,380 | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(Score) | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 | — |
| Quote Completion Time(minutes) | 4 | 4 | — |
| Claims Processing Time(Hours) | 6 | 6 | — |
| Available Coverage Types(count) | 6 types | 6 types | — |
| Number of Available Discounts(count) | 15 | 15 | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Root
2015 (startup)
Geico
1936 (Fortune 500)🏆
Root
Usage-based, telematics-driven
Geico
Traditional direct writer
Root
Core to operations🏆
Geico
Secondary to website/phone
Root
15-25% for safe drivers🏆
Geico
5-15% with discounts
Root
3-5 business days
Geico
1-2 business days🏆
Root
Mobile app + limited phone
Geico
24/7 phone, online, app🏆
Root
38 states (as of 2026)
Geico
All 50 states + DC🏆
Root
Auto only (expanding)
Geico
Auto, home, life, umbrella🏆
Root operates in 38 states as of 2026, primarily covering the eastern and central United States plus California, Texas, and several western states. Check Root's website for your specific state availability. Geico, conversely, is available in all 50 states and DC.
Dive deeper with these curated resources
| Attribute | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Premium (Safe Driver)(USD) | $892 | $1,247 |
| Bundle Discount Available(yes/no) | No (auto only) | Yes (up to 25%) |
| Average Rate vs National Average | Below national average with superior discounts | — |
| Average Annual Premium(relative to national average) | $2,053 per year | — |
| Minimum Coverage Monthly Rate(USD) | $66 | — |
Show 3 more attributesFull Coverage Annual Cost(USD) $2,053 — Average Annual Premium(USD) $1,400 — Average Auto Insurance Premium (Annual)(USD) $1,380 — | ||
| States Available(count) | 38 states | 51 |
| Mobile App Rating(Stars) | 4.7 | 4.3/5 |
| Average Claims Processing Time(business days) | 4 days | 1.5 days |
| Customer Service Hours(hours per day) | Limited (app-based) | 24/7 |
| Customer Service Channels(count) | Phone, Local Agents, Chat, Mobile App | — |
| Telematics Program Offered(yes/no) | Yes (mandatory) | Yes (optional - DriveEasy) |
| Quote Generation Time(minutes) | 2 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Quote Completion Time(minutes) | 4 | — |
| National Company Ranking (2026) | #4 | — |
| Q1 2026 Net Income(billions USD) | Not disclosed at comparable detail | — |
| Combined Ratio (Claims Efficiency)(%) | Not publicly comparable | — |
| Premium Growth Rate (2026)(%) | Market standard growth | — |
| Gender Rate Variance (Widest Gap)(percentage point difference) | Men 13.6% vs Women 10.3% = 3.3 point gap | — |
| Telematics/Usage-Based Program | Limited traditional monitoring programs | — |
| Rate Stability (2026) | Significant increases (700k+ Florida customers April 2026) | — |
| 2025 Net Income(billion USD) | Not publicly disclosed separately | — |
| Rate Reductions Announced 2026(customers affected) | Limited announcements | — |
| Available Discounts(count) | More comprehensive | — |
| Accident/DUI Rate Premium Increase(percentage) | Standard pricing | — |
| Geographic Coverage(states) | All 50 states | — |
| Coverage Types Available(number of categories) | Auto Insurance Only | — |
| Number of Coverage Types(types) | 1 (auto only) | — |
| Available Coverage Types(count) | 6 types | — |
| Service Model(null) | Digital-only | — |
| Claims Processing(null) | Fully digital | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(relative ranking) | 4.3 out of 5 | — |
| Overall Customer Rating(stars) | 3.9 out of 5 | — |
| WalletHub Editor Rating(stars) | 4.4 out of 5 | — |
| Customer Rating(stars) | 4.5 out of 5 | — |
| Telematics Rate Increase Risk(risk level) | Can increase at renewal | — |
| Gap Insurance Availability(boolean) | Not offered | — |
| Pay-Per-Mile Coverage(boolean) | Not available | — |
| New-Car Replacement Coverage(boolean) | Not offered | — |
| Distribution Channels(types) | Online, phone, mobile app | — |
| Membership Eligibility | All drivers | — |
| Premium Reduction Rate (2026)(percentage of members) | Stable competitive pricing | — |
| Number of Discounts(count) | 27 | — |
| Mental Market Share (MMS)(percentage) | ~12% | — |
| Loan Rate Competitiveness | Auto-only (N/A) | — |
| Home/Auto Bundling Discount | Not available | — |
| Maximum Safe Driver Discount(percent) | Multiple offers | — |
| Number of Available Discounts(count) | 15 | — |
| WalletHub Rating(stars) | 4.3 out of 5 | — |
| Years in Business(years) | 85+ | — |
| Market Presence (MMS)(percent) | ~12% | — |
| Average Annual Premium (Auto Insurance)(USD) | $950 | — |
| States Served(count) | 50 states + DC | — |
| Coverage Types Offered(count) | Auto, Home, Life, Umbrella, RV, more | — |
| Founded Year(Year) | 1936 | — |
| Quote Processing Time(minutes) | 7 | — |
| Policy Approval Time(hours) | 24-48 | — |
| Credit Check Required | Yes (standard) | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(Score) | 4.1/5 | — |
| Claims Processing Time(Hours) | 6 | — |
| Agent Availability(hours per week) | 24/7 with local agents | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes